Stellar Irwin helps Rapids earn draw in San Jose

The San Jose Earthquakes may have created the better chances, and may have had the better of the play in Wednesday night’s showdown with the Colorado Rapids, but what they couldn’t do was find a way to beat Clint Irwin.

The Rapids goalkeeper turned in a standout effort in goal, making seven saves, including several top-shelf stops, to help Colorado earn a 0-0 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Chris Wondolowski drew out the first of Irwin’s stunning saves when his 30th-minute header forced a left-handed reaction slap-away of a close-range header.

Alan Gordon saw a golden opportunity to beat Irwin go wasted in the 53rd minute when he pushed a clear look in front of goal wide of the right post.

Atiba Harris was the next to test Irwin with a dangerous chance, but Irwin was up to the task and stuck his right hand up just in time to deflect away a blistering shot at goal in the 62nd minute.

San Jose’s best chance of the night came in the 88th minute when Wondolowski broke in on goal, but Irwin got enough of a piece of Wondolowski’s shot to send it off the far post and preserve the shutout.

The draw gives the Rapids a 4-2-3 record on the season, while the point helped San Jose move ahead of Chivas USA, and out of the Western Conference basement at 1-3-4.